Interesting Facts About Utah

The earliest inhabitants of the state were the Ute, Gosiute, Southern Paiute and Navajo Indians. In fact, the name of the state is derived from the Ute Indian language, which means 'people of the mountains'. A big wave of people arrived here in 1847 and settled where the present day Salt Lake City stands. They were of the Mormon faith and established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By 1852, there were 15,000 Mormons settled in this area. The United States acquired the region in 1848, which till then belonged to Mexico. Later in 1849, the people of the region named the area as the state of Deseret. Finally, by 1896, the area was established as the state of Utah by the United States government.

There are several interesting facts about Utah:

• Utah is the 11th largest state in the United States of America.
• Utah is also called the Beehive state. The beehive is the official state emblem. It represents enterprise and the values of thrift and perseverance.
• The state capital of Utah is Salt lake City. Other prominent cities include South Jordan, Lehi, Riverton, Syracuse and Provo.
• Utah has a lot to offer to those in search of untamed wilderness or adventure. It has five majestic national parks, which are Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. Located in Arches, Landscape Arch, which is 291 feet from one end to the other and rises about 100 feet above the ground, is a natural wonder to behold, along with many other impressive rock formations. The southeastern part of the state is snaked with challenging mountain biking trails. Slickrock, a world famous trail, presents a challenge even to experienced riders.
• Utah hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002. A hub for winter activities including skiing, its pristine snow-coated slopes draw a surge of visitors every year. To cater to these bustling crowds, there are a large number of luxurious ski resorts located in northern Utah near Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden and Provo. The United States skiing team hails from this state.
• Utah's cultural experience is diverse and includes the Sundance Film Festival and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. The Sundance Film Festival is held in January and showcases the work of American and international independent filmmakers. A feast for both literature and theater lovers, this festival brings to life literary masterpieces.
• The large Mormon population in Utah has influenced its lifestyles and legislation. When calculated in 2007, about 60 percent of the population of Utah were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The headquarters of the church is located at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Within its area lie several buildings and the juggernaut Salt Lake Temple. Ranked the 16th most visited tourist attraction in the United States by Forbes Magazine, it enthralls over five million visitors every year.
• Utah's natural magnificence extends to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Monument Valley, the Bonneville Salt Flats, Lake Powell and the Great Salt Lake. The Great Salt Lake is true to its name and is said to be so salty, that swimmers float above the water like buoys.
• Utah has several cultural institutions of wide repute. They include the Utah Symphony, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Utah Opera Company, Ballet West and Utah Festival Opera (Logan).
• The imprint of a species now extinct exists in Utah. Some of biggest dinosaur footprints (of the hadrosaurid) in the world can be found here.
• The highest point in Utah is Kings Peak which stands at a towering 13,528 ft in the Uinta Mountains, located in Duchesne County in the northeast part of the state. Situated in St. George in Washington County, Beaver Dam Wash is the lowest point at 2,350 ft.
• Among others, movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Footloose (1984), Forrest Gump (1994), Independence Day (1996) and Thelma and Louise (1991) were all filmed against the backdrop of Utah.

Utah is fast developing into a leader in the field of information technology. An ever-evolving modern state, the opportunities it offers are constantly increasing, just like its population and cities. Consequently, it also faces the problems arising out of progress. The manner in which it resolves these issues, will dictate its stance amongst other advanced American states.